Garibaldi Lake

Cirque Lake

Sea to Sky Gondola

Upper Shannon Falls

Panorama Ridge

Garibaldi Provincial Park

Sea to Sky Gondola

SquamishHikingTrails

Squamish sits in the midst of some amazing places to hike. Garibaldi Provincial Park sprawls from Squamish up and beyond Whistler. Tantalus Provincial Park lays across the valley to the west and the beautiful and desolate, by comparison, Callaghan Valley to the north.

GaribaldiProvincialPark

Garibaldi Provincial Park wraps around Squamish and is home to some amazing hiking trails. Garibaldi Lake, Panorama Ridge, Black Tusk and Elfin Lakes are all wonderful hiking destinations is this extraordinary Provincial Park so close to Squamish.

Hollyburn Mountain in Cypress Provincial Park, is an amazing hiking and snowshoeing trail. The Hollyburn trailhead is an astonishingly close, 30 minute drive from downtown Vancouver. The 30 minutes is quite something as well. From the always beautiful crossing of the Lions Gate Bridge, to the incredible views of Vancouver from the approach drive to Cypress Mountain and the Hollyburn Mountain trailhead.

You would almost expect that there would be various fees for parking, trail use, etc. But the Hollyburn Mountain trail is completely free. No charge for parking or trail use. Also, dogs are welcome and you will likely be able to park within a few metres of the trailhead.

As if it couldn't get better, it does... the trail is so well marked that it can easily be done after dark, as many do. What a perfect escape from the city. A perfect mountain escape to a towering mountain paradise far above the big city below. The city lights are amazing. From the lights of the Lions Gate Bridge, to the beautifully bright tankers, to the wondrously glowing Vancouver towers.

This hike has it all. Great views, easy hike, convenient times to use, and of course free. Hiking or snowshoeing Hollyburn Mountain is yet another spectacular piece of the whole amazing Vancouver experience.

Hollyburn Mountain is easily done in a half day trip from Vancouver as it is quite close and quite a short hike/snowshoe, at only 7k roundtrip. Go early for the amazing sunrise, or late in the day for the unbelievable sunset.

The Hollyburn Mountain trail is very well marked with light reflecting, neon orange, 6 foot tall marker poles, only a few metres apart most of the way. Though the trail is a fairly constant uphill it is a relatively short trail. Most make it to the summit of Hollyburn in an hour from the trailhead.

Coming down is quite a bit faster and you will see people using crazy carpets on the trail in the winter. In the summer with no snow, your downward pace will be quite fast as compared to uphill. If you plan to hike or snowshoe Hollyburn Mountain after dark, make sure you have a light and a backup light. The trail marker poles only reflect light, so you could easily lose the trail without lights after dark.

The amazing views from the summit of Hollyburn Mountain include, the Lions Gate Bridge, Vancouver, West Vancouver, Howe Sound and Georgia Straight, the Lions, and quite a lot else. Hollyburn Mountain is one of the highest around and the view is a panoramic 360. The drive to and from Hollyburn Mountain is amazing. If you are not too excited about hiking or snowshoeing, the drive alone is well worth it. There are a couple amazing places to stop on the drive up. Both have a beautiful parking area perched on the edge of the mountain along the road. Picnic tables and nice information boards to go with the amazing views.